The Museum of the Moving Image has been my favorite place to go to see real Muppets on display. Okay, so it’s the only place to see real Muppets on display in the New York area, but that just makes it all the more special. Throughout my dozens of visits, I never get tired of seeing their collection of puppets, but it’s always exciting to see a few new ones in the museum.
Recently, we were invited to pop by MoMI to see a few new additions to their Muppet collection, and it was like visiting with some old friends. Take a look at these:
The Muppet Babies and the others are on display at MoMI for a series of events this weekend, and they’ll stay up for a short while (exact amount of time is unknown, but likely at least a couple of weeks). So if you want to see them in the felt, you’ll have to make your way to the museum soon.
But in case you can’t get to Queens, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a closer look at each of the newly restored puppets on display.
We’ve learned that all three of the Muppet Babies are original from 1984, but these aren’t the ones used in The Muppets Take Manhattan. Instead, they’re the armatured photo puppets seen in the dozens of incredible photographs by John E. Barrett.
Baby Gonzo is adorable, but I can’t get over his little soft shoes. So freaking cute.
And of course, he wouldn’t be complete without a little stuffed Camilla. Sort of a prequel to a puppet we’ll be seeing in just a moment…
Baby Kermit is my fave – not only is he wearing his classic sailor outfit (so handsome), but I feel like his pose is meant to evoke the one we’re so familiar with from the adult Kermit, lounging on a log.
Moving on to the other glass case, we’re treated to this obscure gentleman. The “Boss” seen here was featured in a couple of commercials Jim Henson made for Tastee-Freez ice cream in 1967. Interestingly, although this puppet wasn’t used much, it seems to have been kept in-tact and not stripped for parts. I’m glad to see he survived long enough to get put into a museum.
Listed as “Baby Monster,” this purple people eater is known for two things: A few minor appearances in the first season of Sesame Street, and a sketch performed on The Ed Sullivan Show about a monster and his son. I love the look of this little guy, with his one fang and a glove to give him his wiggly toes.
Zelda Rose (sans singing owl) is here, and it looks like even her outfit lasted throughout the years. I love that thousand-yard death stare, making her look like she’s completely checked out.
Wow, Hilda the Seamstress! Fashion icon from the first season of The Muppet Show! Muppet fans have wondered where she’s been since 1977, and I guess she’s been in a drawer this whole time. I love the added touch of giving her a pincushion and a needle, showing off the fact that she, unlike many other Muppets, had a real job to do.
And last but not least, a real movie star. Camilla the Chicken is on display, just inches away from her stuffed Muppet Babies counterpart. Getting up close, you can really see the detail in her feathers, adding to the illusion that she’s a real chicken. Though with that down stuffing all over her, I bet Jerry Nelson’s hand got real warm.
And of course, these are all in addition to MoMI’s full Jim Henson Exhibition, which features dozens of puppets and artifacts from the worlds of the Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, the Creature Shop, and more. If you happen to be anywhere near NYC anytime soon, you’ve got to stop by and see these for yourself.
@toughpigs New Muppets on display at @Museum of the Moving Image! Catch them quick before they’re gone! #muppets #muppetbabies ? NO AUDIO – Sok Baraby
UPDATE: For those unable to attend the specific weekend’s festivities, fret not! These puppets will continue to be on display through July 13, so you’ve still got time to meet Hilda live in person!
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by Joe Hennes – [email protected]
